I have been ill for 2.5 months, with stress and gastric/gallbladder issues

I had my gallbladder removed 4 weeks ago. I am about to return to work.

I get severe chest pains from stress still, and I am concerned how I am going to cope back at work

my gallbladder operation has been successful. I get the odd twinge of pain on right side, but nothing like before. I feel like I am still on mend from this, but is going in right direction

stress levels at work were high when I became ill. I fainted at work, had viral infection, had terrible GERD.

thing is I have not had any official communication from HR about returning. Only brief conversation with my line manager about what day I would return.

I feel low on energy at minute so forgive me if I have not given more detail, but I would like to hear from others who have been off sick, even if in part due to stress at work. How you were treated when you went back?

Did stress levels reduce? Did you end up staying with employer?

all advice welcome. I am not sure what I should say to my colleagues when I return this week. My line managers are out of the office this week. It is a large company I work for

Sorry, because your aren't going to agree with this. Unless you have a specialist opinion from someone who has observed you at work, you have an unspecified anxiety disorder. PROOF that your workplace has caused "stress" (an entirely not useful diagnosis) is required. And that is very hard to obtain. So what have you done to discuss with your employer the fact that you allege they are fully or partially responsible for your condition? They aren't going to stick their hands up and admit it. So of course they aren't interested in anything other than "you were off sick and your return date".

Why do you need to say anything to your colleagues? You were off sick. You had an operation. Beyond that it isn't any of their business. And I wouldn't recommend going any further than that. If you have a dispute with your employer, that isn't anything to do with them. And you don't say anything they may repeat.

In my experience, stress levels won't reduce. What I'm not clear about is, why you expect they might? There's a gap in here somewhere. You are suggesting its their fault - but you don't appear to have told them that, proven that, or done anything to say that you are not happy with the situation? Not getting at you - but nothing changes if you don't say something!

Hello Janus,

If I were you, I would be asking for a 'return to work' meeting, preferably before you are actually due to return. This will give you the opportunity to discuss things that have happened during your time off, discuss how best to get you to settle back into your role and a chance to air any issues. I would avoid going down the "it's work's fault I was stressed" route, even if you can prove it as they will not admit to it. A better strategy will be "I was finding this difficult before I went off sick, can we see if there are any better ways of doing this?"

I don't know your colleagues, but I would think that most of them will just be happy to see you back and will not be particularly interested in the details as to why you were off.

Having been in a similar situation, I feel for you. But your employers will want to see you present them with solutions for dealing with stress levels at work rather than present them with problems and expecting them to fix them. It was only after I started to think about the things that *I* could control and that *I* could change (and I'll be honest, I started looking at my own personality traits) that I started to see better results at work. Admittedly I've also had some good fortune with a bully colleague leaving and getting a change of duties but I wouldn't say my stress levels are reduced, just that I'm dealing with them more effectively.

I presume you are currently on a fit note which is due to run out? Have a chat with your doctor, they may be able to suggest a phased return to start with, and they may be able to suggest some ideas on dealing with stress/anxiety (something like CBT maybe?)

Good luck.

Good Sister

thank you for your wise words,

But your employers will want to see you present them with solutions for dealing with stress levels at work rather than present them with problems and expecting them to fix them. It was only after I started to think about the things that *I* could control and that *I* could change (and I'll be honest, I started looking at my own personality traits) that I started to see better results at work. Admittedly I've also had some good fortune with a bully colleague leaving and getting a change of duties but I wouldn't say my stress levels are reduced, just that I'm dealing with them more effectively.

 

I presume you are currently on a fit note which is due to run out? Have a chat with your doctor, they may be able to suggest a phased return to start with, and they may be able to suggest some ideas on dealing with stress/anxiety (something like CBT maybe?)

I have practiced CBT, is very good

I did return today and my colleagues were pleased to see me

my line manager back next Monday, we will have positive chat. I have expressed my areas of concern about my job before I went sick. I think there will be a mutual understanding and a way forward

thanks